December 7, 2016

220 years ago
1796

Politics and government
The United States presidential election concluded with Federalist Party candidate John Adams receiving 71 electoral votes to 68 for Democratic-Republican Party candidate Thomas Jefferson. Under the rules then in place, Mr. Adams was elected President, and Mr. Jefferson was elected Vice President.

U.S. President George Washington delivered his eighth and last annual State of the Union address to Congress. Subjects included relations with Britain and Spain.

180 years ago
1836

Politics and government
The United States presidential election concluded with Democratic Party candidate and incumbent Vice President Martin Van Buren receiving 170 electoral votes to 124 for four Whig Party candidates. The Whigs nominated their candidates on a regional basis, hoping to prevent Mr. Van Buren from obtaining a majority of votes in the Electoral College, thus sending the election to the House of Representatives. William Henry Harrison of Ohio received 73 electoral votes, followed by fellow Whig candidates Hugh Lawson White (Tennessee), 26; Daniel Webster (Massachusetts), 14; and Willie Person Magnum (North Carolina), 11. Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky became the only Vice-President of the United States to be elected by the United States Senate. Mr. Johnson, the running mate of Mr. Van Buren, had received 147 electoral votes in the November 3 general election, exactly half of the 294 total electoral votes, one short of the required majority. Mr. Van Buren had received 170 electoral votes, but Virginia's 23 electors had acted as "faithless electors," and had refused to vote for Mr. Johnson. William Smith of South Carolina had received the remaining 23 Democratic electoral votes for Vice-President. The result had thrown the vice-presidential election into the United States Senate for the only time in American history. Mr. Johnson received 33 votes to 16 for Whig Party candidate Francis Granger on the first ballot.

175 years ago
1841

Politics and government
U.S. President John Tyler delivered his first annual State of the Union message to Congress. Subjects included foreign relations and the economy.

125 years ago
1891

Died on this date
Arthur Blyth, 68. U.K.-born Australian politician. Sir Arthur grew up in Birmingham and moved to South Australia with his parents at the age of 16. He held various cabinet posts in South Australia, and served three terms as Premier of South Australia (1864-1865, 1871-1872, 1873-1875). Sir Arthur was appointed as South Australia's agent-general in London in 1877, and represented S.A. at the 1887 colonial conference. He died in Bournemouth, England.

120 years ago
1896

Politics and government
U.S. President Grover Cleveland delivered the fourth annual State of the Union message of his second term to Congress. Subjects included foreign relations, the economy, and defense.

80 years ago
1936

Died on this date
Jean Mermoz, 34. French aviator. Mr. Mermoz flew with the Franch Air Force in Syria (1922-1924) before becoming an air mail pilot. He flew from Senegal to Brazil in 1930, and was the chief pilot for Aeroposta Argentina, Argentina's first air mail service. Two days before his 35th birthday, Mr. Mermoz disappeared four hours after taking off from Dakar, Senegal to Natal, Brazil after engine repairs; it was assumed that the engine they had tried to repair lost its propeller midflight, and being one of the aft engines, the loose propeller either badly damaged or cut the hull entirely, causing the plane to lose its tail and crash instantly. An investigative committee of the Uruguayan Parliament concluded in 1941 that the deaths of Mr. Mermoz and his four-man crew were the result of sabotage by Nazi fifth columnists operating in Uruguay, although Mr. Mermoz had been complaining for months about the poor quality of the planes he was forced to fly.

75 years ago
1941

On the radio
Jergens Journal, with Walter Winchell, on NBC

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Mrs. Warren's Key

On television today
Regularly scheduled programming in New York was interrupted by news of the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

War
The United Kingdom and Canada, New Zealand, and India went to war against Finland, Hungary, and Romania at 12:01 A.M. British time. The Royal Canadian Navy Flower Class corvette HMCS Windflower was rammed by the Dutch freighter Zypenberg in dense fog off the Grand Banks, while escorting convoy SC.58; Windflower sank, and 23 of her ship's company were lost. Moscow radio claimed that Soviet troops had broken though German lines at two points on the Moscow front, annihilating two divisions and recapturing a village near Kalinin. Japanese planes bombed the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and declared war on the United States three hours later, bringing the United States into World War II (see also here). U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the entire country to be on a war footing, and in the evening conferred with his cabinet and congressional leaders on his war message; he also talked by transatlantic telephone with U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Censorship was imposed on all messages leaving the United States by radio and cable. U.S. Senator Gerald Nye (Republican--North Dakota) said that the Japanese attack was "just what Britain planned for us," and that the United States had been "doing its utmost to provoke a quarrel with Japan." Canada, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala declared war on Japan.



Labour
U.S. President Roosevelt's Coal Arbitration Board ruled that all coal mine workers must join the Congress of Industrial Organizations United Mine Workers of America as a condition of employment, thus reversing a decision of the National Defense Mediation Board. The United Brotherhood of Welders, Cutters and Helpers ordered strikers to return to work at an ordnance plant in Morgantown, West Virginia because of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. The New Jersey CIO pledged support for President Roosevelt and denounced United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis for his membership in the America First Committee.

Football
NFL
Chicago Bears (10-1) 34 @ Chicago Cardinals (3-7-1) 24
Brooklyn (7-4) 21 @ New York (8-3) 7
Philadelphia (2-8-1) 14 @ Washington (6-5) 20

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra with Marjorie Hughes (Best Seller--8th week at #1; Juke Box--7th week at #1; Airplay--7th week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--6th week at #1)

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Coptic Compass

This is Hollywood, hosted by Hedda Hopper, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Stranger, starring Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Hussey, Roland Morris, and Gerald Mohr

Died on this date
Laurette Taylor, 63. U.S. actress. Miss Taylor, born Loretta Cooney, was best known for starring in the play (1912) and movie (1922) Peg o' My Heart, written for her by her husband, playwright J. Hartley Manners. Heavy drinking contributed to a decline in Miss Taylor's career in the late 1920s, but she made a successful comeback by playing Amanda Wingfield in the original Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie (1945), winning the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Actress. Miss Taylor died of a coronary thrombosis.

Diplomacy
The United States told the United Nations Political and Security Committee that it would not observe a UN decision to break off diplomatic relations with Spain.

The British government postponed the reopening of the London Palestine Conference until January 1947 to allow delegates from the World Zionist Congress to attend after their forthcoming meeting.

Labour
Congress of Industrial Organizations United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis ended the 17-day national coal strike, claiming that the U.S. Supreme Court must be allowed to judge the union-government dispute "free from public pressure induced by the hysteria and frenzy of an economic crisis."

Disasters
A fire at the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta killed 119 people; it was the deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history.

Football
NCAA
The Football Writers Association of America named Notre Dame tackle George Connor as the winner of the Outland Trophy for the outstanding lineman in college football in the United States for 1946.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Just Walking in the Rain--Johnnie Ray (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Huntley Gordon, 69. Canadian-born U.S. actor. Mr. Gordon, a native of Montreal, appeared in numerous movies from 1918-1940, and appeared in network radio programs in later years.

Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly elected the Philippines over Czechoslovakia to one of its non-permanent Security Council seats.

Israeli Foreign Minister Golda Meir asked the United States to urge Egypt to treat its Jewish residents in a "humane manner."

Religion
The Polish government and the Roman Catholic Church reached a tentative agreement on church-state relations.

Society
Dr. William Lewis was elected president of the Giles County Medical Association in Tennessee, becoming the first Negro to head an accredited American Medical Association affiliate in the southern states.

Crime
A jury in Mineola, New York rejected a plea of insanity and convicted Angelo John La Marca of kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of infant Peter Weinberger.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set):
1 No Milk Today--Herman's Hermits
2 Sorry--The Easybeats
3 Winchester Cathedral--The New Vaudeville Band
4 Let it Be Me (EP)--Johnny Young
5 Good Vibrations--The Beach Boys
6 Ooh La La--Normie Rowe
7 Friday on My Mind--The Easybeats
8 Lady Godiva--Peter and Gordon
9 Spicks and Specks--The Bee Gees
10 Needle in a Haystack--The Twilights

Singles entering the chart were No Milk Today; Let it Be Me; Good Vibrations; Ooh La La; Friday on My Mind; The Boss's Daughter by Gene Pitney (#20); I Can't Control Myself by the Troggs (#21); Little Man by Sonny and Cher (#23); Skye Boat Song, with versions by Peter Nelson and the Castaways; and Glenn Ingram; Devil with a Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels (#25); Hooray for Hazel by Tommy Roe (#30); The Hair on My Chinny Chin Chin by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (#35); High Time by Paul Jones (#36); Why Don't Women Like Me? by Clinton Ford (#37); and Semi-Detached Suburban Mr. James by Manfred Mann (#40).

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Elena!

Died on this date
Ward Morehouse, 71. U.S. journalist and playwright. Mr. Morehouse began his career in his native Savannah, Georgia before moving to Atlanta and then to New York City, where he wrote the Broadway After Dark column for the New York Sun and its successor papers from 1926 until his death. He wrote several play-- including Gentlemen of the Press (1928)--and screenplays. Mr. Morehouse died 13 days after his 71st birthday.

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Daddy Cool--Boney M. (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Family, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Skeleton in the Closet

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Qui a le droit...--Patrick Bruel

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me--George Michael/Elton John

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn--Gordon (2nd week at #1)
2 Roodkapje--Pater Moeskroen
3 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa
4 Black or White--Michael Jackson
5 I Love Your Smile--Shanice
6 Over and Over Again--Robby Valentine
7 Change--Lisa Stansfield
8 James Brown is Still Alive!!--Holy Noise featuring the Global Insert Project
9 The Fly--U2
10 Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)--Rozalla

Singles entering the chart were Mysterious Ways by U2 (#24); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#25); Ik Vraag Aan Sinterklaas Een Heel Gelukkig Kerstfeest by Henk Temming (#31); Skat Strut by MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob (#35); and Elke Vrouw by Hanny (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Black or White--Michael Jackson
2 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
3 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
4 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
5 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
6 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
7 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
8 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
9 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
10 O.P.P.--Naughty by Nature

Singles entering the chart were Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (#40); The Unforgiven by Metallica (#65); Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael/Elton John (#72); Addams Groove by MC Hammer (#84); The Comfort Zone by Vanessa Williams (#86); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#88); Hearts Don't Think (They Feel) by Natural Selection (#92); and In Paradise by Laissez Faire (#97). Addams Groove was the theme from the movie The Addams Family (1991).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton (2nd week at #1)
2 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
3 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
4 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
5 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
6 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
7 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
8 Street of Dreams--Nia Peeples
9 I Wonder Why--Curtis Stigers
10 No Son of Mine--Genesis

Singles entering the chart were Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael/Elton John (#65); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#77); Somewhere, Somebody by Aaron Neville (#86); Too Blind to See It by Kym Sims (#89); and I Love Your Smile by Shanice (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Life is a Highway--Tom Cochrane (2nd week at #1)
2 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
3 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
4 What About Now--Robbie Robertson
5 No Son of Mine--Genesis
6 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart
7 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
8 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
9 Get a Leg Up--John Mellencamp
10 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx

Singles entering the chart were All 4 Love by Color Me Badd (#50); Rescued (By the Arms of Love) by Glass Tiger (#80); Convictions of the Heart by Kenny Loggins (#81); One Little Word by the Boomers (#88); The Sky is Crying by Stevie Ray Vaughan (#89); Love Don't Last Forever by Chrissey Steele (#90); Ghosts by Kerri Anderson (#91); Wildside by Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch (#93); and There Will Never Be Another Tonight by Bryan Adams (#96).

Skiing
A.J. Kitt became the first American to win a men's downhill event since the 1984 Winter Olympics when he won the first race of the 1991-92 season at Val D'Isere, France.

Football
NCAA
Navy 24 Army 3 @ Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Wannabe--Spice Girls (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): One & One--Robert Miles featuring Maria Nayler (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Céline Dion (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Aïcha--Khaled (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Freed from Desire--Gala (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Gabbertje--Hakkûhbar

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): I Feel You--Peter Andre

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Un-Break My Heart--Toni Braxton
2 No Diggity--BLACKstreet (featuring Dr. Dre)
3 Nobody--Keith Sweat featuring Athena Cage
4 Don't Let Go (Love)--En Vogue
5 It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Celine Dion
6 Mouth--Merril Bainbridge
7 Pony--Ginuwine
8 I Finally Found Someone--Barbra Streisand/Bryan Adams
9 I'm Still in Love with You--New Edition
10 Where Do You Go--No Mercy

Singles entering the chart were I'm Not Giving You Up by Gloria Estefan (#79); I Like It by the Blackout Allstars (83); and Leavin' by the Tony Rich Project (#95).

Football
NCAA
Army 28 Navy 24 @ Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Jeane Kirkpatrick, 80. U.S. political scientist and diplomat. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was a member of the Democratic Party who opposed Communism, and served as an adviser on foreign policy to Ronald Reagan in his 1980 U.S. presidential campaign. President Reagan appointed her as United States Ambassador to the United Nations, where she served from 1981-1985. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was known for the "Kirkpatrick Doctrine," which advocated U.S. support for authoritarian governments that were friendly to the United States, because they could then supposedly be led into democracy. Mrs. Kirkpatrick joined the Republican Party in 1985.